SCOTT REYNOLDS CAUGHT IN SUTTON COLDFIELD PAEDOPHILE STING

In a case that highlights the ongoing efforts to combat online grooming and child exploitation, Scott Reynolds, a 33-year-old man from Curdworth, Sutton Coldfield, was apprehended after falling into a trap set by vigilant paedophile hunters. The incident unfolded in January 2019, when Reynolds engaged in explicit online conversations with what he believed was a 13-year-old girl named Jodie.

Unbeknownst to Reynolds, the profile he was communicating with was a carefully constructed decoy created by members of a group called 'Stand Together 4 Our Kids.' This group had set up the fake social media profile to identify and catch individuals attempting to engage in sexual activities with minors. The group’s efforts aimed to protect children from predators by luring them into conversations that could be monitored and acted upon.

According to court proceedings at Warwick Crown Court, Reynolds initiated contact with the decoy profile at the end of December 2017. During their exchanges, he claimed to be 33 years old and told the fake 'Jodie' that she was a 13-year-old schoolgirl. The conversations initially consisted of casual, general chat, but quickly escalated into more explicit and sexual content, with Reynolds making inappropriate requests and comments.

Reynolds asked the decoy to send topless pictures, inquired about her wearing a bra, and even asked to see her in her school uniform. He also offered to send explicit images of himself and expressed a desire to have sex with her. At one point, he explicitly asked, “Can I see you topless then?” despite the decoy stating she was in bed and not wearing a bra. His intentions became increasingly clear as he expressed a desire to meet for sexual activity.

On January 5, 2019, the group members visited an address in Castle Vale, believing Reynolds would be there, but he was not present. A few days later, they discovered he was at his parents’ residence in Curdworth. Acting on this information, the group contacted the police, who promptly arrested Reynolds at his home. During police interviews, Reynolds chose not to comment on the allegations.

Reynolds was charged and pleaded guilty to attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting to meet a child following grooming. The court, presided over by Judge Anthony Potter, sentenced him to a three-year community order. As part of his sentence, Reynolds was required to participate in the Horizon sex offender’s rehabilitation program, complete 200 hours of unpaid work, and engage in further rehabilitative activities. Additionally, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for five years.

Prosecutor Ian Windridge emphasized the proactive role of the decoy group in protecting children, noting that Reynolds believed he was communicating with a minor and was seeking to meet her for sexual purposes. The case underscores the importance of community efforts and vigilant monitoring in preventing online predators from exploiting vulnerable minors.